Strategic Buyer

Loop; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Part time

Job summary

Loop is seeking a Freelance Strategic Buyer to shape how our products are made and at what cost. You will own category strategies, break down supplier cost structures, and define landed costs to protect margin as we scale.

Based in Amsterdam or Antwerp, you will lead RFQs, onboard suppliers, and build regional sourcing capabilities. This role emphasizes data-driven decisions, DFM alignment, and resilient supplier networks for launches.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or manufacturing buying.
• Background in plastics, silicones, softgoods, packaging, electronics or consumer goods.
• Track record of negotiating structural cost reductions.
• Advanced cost modelling skills, including should-costing, tooling, MOQ, and landed cost.
• Familiarity with mass production ramp-up and DFM alignment.
• Experience developing regional sourcing strategies and dual-sourcing setups.
• Experience working with suppliers in the APAC region is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead RFQs that turn competitive tension into structural margin gains.
• Own supplier onboarding and improve performance across quality, cost, and delivery.
• Drive dual sourcing and regional diversification to strengthen supply resilience.
• Support the Industrialization Team in preparing products for mass production.
• Build long-term supplier partnerships that can grow with Loop.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Cost modelling

Supplier management

Job description

Freelance Strategic Buyer

Location: Antwerp / Amsterdam | Freelance | Maternity cover | Experience: 5+ years in strategic sourcing or manufacturing procurement

Own cost and help drive structural margin impact

At Loop, strategic buying shapes how our products are made and what they cost. From silicones and plastics to softgoods and packaging, your decisions directly impact margin, innovation speed, and production readiness.

As Strategic Buyer, you’ll take commercial ownership of your categories. Every RFQ you lead, supplier you position, and cost model you build helps move the business forward.

The Role

You’ll build and execute category strategies that reduce structural BOM costs without compromising quality or scalability. You’ll break down supplier cost structures, challenge tooling investments with data, and define MOQ and landed cost setups that protect margin at scale.

You’ll build a strong Approved Vendor List across the right regions, so new product launches are supported by validated, production-ready suppliers. You’ll secure DFM alignment and capacity early, and turn cost, risk, and manufacturability trade-offs into clear decisions that protect timing and margin.

What You’ll Do

• Lead RFQs that turn competitive tension into structural margin gains.
• Own supplier onboarding and improve performance across quality, cost, and delivery.
• Drive dual sourcing and regional diversification to strengthen supply resilience.
• Support the Industrialization Team in preparing products for mass production.
• Build long-term supplier partnerships that can grow with Loop.

You Won’t

• Wait for endless approvals before taking action.
• Hide behind process when outcomes are at risk.
• Stay in the background without making your impact visible.
• Accept supplier quotes without challenging the numbers.

How You’ll Succeed

You combine analytical depth with strong commercial instinct. You challenge assumptions with data and push for better outcomes while building strong supplier relationships. Engineering teams trust you because you understand manufacturing constraints and DFM principles.

You stay structured under launch pressure and focus on what matters most: lower structural costs, strong supplier performance, and production-ready launches.

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or manufacturing buying.
• A strong background in plastics, silicones, softgoods, packaging, electronics or consumer goods.
• A track record of negotiating structural cost reductions.
• Advanced cost modelling skills, including should-costing, tooling, MOQ, and landed cost.
• Familiarity with mass production ramp-up and DFM alignment.
• Experience developing regional sourcing strategies and dual-sourcing setups.
• Experience working with suppliers in the APAC region is a strong plus.

Loop Isn’t for Everyone. We Might Not Be a Match If You:

• Avoid tough supplier conversations when margins are at stake.
• Rely on others to define your category strategy.
• Feel uncomfortable challenging engineering or supplier assumptions with data.
• Prioritise harmony over structural cost improvement.

Interview Process

Application Window: 30 October – 15 November (Applications are only accepted during this window)
Recruiter Screens: 9 – 20 November
Hiring Manager Interviews: 16 – 25 November
Business Case Presentation: 26 November – 2 December
Target Start Date: December 2026 /January 2027 (as soon as possible)